The boxing world was shocked to learn that Joseph Parker tested positive for cocaine following his fight with Fabio Wardley back in October.
Traces of the banned substance were discovered in a routine test done by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on the day of the New Zealander’s defeat to Wardley, and the suggestion was that he could face a two-year ban.
He was doing well in the fight and was up on most people’s cards until Wardley did as he had done several times before and found some big shots to rescue victory from defeat and stop Parker, who had been on a superb run by beating the likes of Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Speaking to iFL TV, Parker’s manager, Spencer Brown, was asked how the fighter was and offered an update on the latest.
“Yeah, good, I’ve just been out with him. He’s in good spirits. He was contaminated. We know how it’s all happened. Everybody will find out in due course. It will be public knowledge very soon. It’s been very harsh on Joe.
“We know it’s got into his system but it certainly hasn’t been taken or ingested by him, that’s for certain. You’d have to be a mental person to do that in fight camp, wouldn’t you. It’s going to take a few weeks, and everybody will find out.”
If Parker is able to clear his name and avoid a ban, he will likely be keen to get back into the ring in 2026 and get back to winning ways as he continues to try and become a two-time world heavyweight ruler.
